Charlottean named HBCU Female Student of the Year

This summer, Olivia Stinson, a junior at Winston-Salem State University, was named the Female Student of the Year at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities' third annual awards ceremony.

Nominees were considered for their academic achievement, leadership, integrity and community volunteer work.

Olivia, 20, is the founder and president of PEN (Peers Engaged and Networking) Pals Book Club and Support Group for Children of Incarcerated Parents. She's also the adviser to BE A Reader (BEAR) Book Club & Support Group.

Young Achiever needs your vote

Back in August of last year, Young Achievers received advice from Olivia Stinson, a then freshman at Winston-Salem State. Olivia, a former Mallard Creek High graduate, founded PEN Pals, a reading club and support group for youth with incarcerated parents.

Recently, Olivia has been named a L'Oreal Paris International 2012 Woman of Worth. The award recognizes 10 honorees from across the country for their dedication to philanthropy.

The 19-year-old was selected from a pool of more than 3,000 women nationwide, according to L'Oreal Paris.

Each of the 10 nominees chosen received $10,000 for her charity, and will also be recognized at an awards ceremony and dinner on Dec. 6 in New York City.



But the final winner will be decided by the public. From Nov.5-21, members of the public are asked to vote for their favorite candidate.

The winner of the vote will receive $25,000 to use for her charity.



To vote, visit http://www.womenofworth.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Olivia Stinson